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Essay Drafting Worksheet

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Essay Drafting Worksheet

Plan, draft and review an argument essay about whether a community should protect a place that matters to its residents. Use the stimulus below, your own reasoning and specific examples. Write in clear paragraphs and use New Zealand spelling.

The situation

At the edge of the fictional town of Kōwhai Bay is an old jetty and a strip of tidal wetland. Residents use the jetty to fish, launch small boats and watch the sunrise. The wetland is home to wading birds and helps absorb water during storms, making it an important part of the coastal landscape. A developer has proposed replacing the jetty and part of the wetland with a larger marina, a café and new parking spaces. Some residents welcome jobs and easier boat access. Others worry about losing wildlife habitat and a place used by the whole community. The council has invited written submissions before making a decision.

Understand the issue

Use the situation above to identify the debate and develop a position of your own.

1.What decision is the council being asked to make about Kōwhai Bay?

2.Select one benefit and one concern raised by the proposal.

Benefit: more jobs and easier boat access; concern: loss of wildlife habitat and a shared community place
Benefit: more birds; concern: fewer jobs
Benefit: less parking; concern: improved storm protection
Benefit: the jetty will stay unchanged; concern: the café will close

3.True or false: The situation gives only reasons to oppose the marina proposal. Explain your choice in one sentence.

4.Complete the sentence with a clear position: “The council should…” Add one reason that could support your view.

Plan a PEEL body paragraph

PEEL means Point, Evidence, Explanation and Link. Evidence can come from the situation, a relevant example you know, or a reasonable detail you clearly identify as an example.

5.Write a topic sentence for one body paragraph. It should give one reason that supports your position.

6.Which detail from the situation best supports the point that the wetland is valuable to the community and environment?

The wetland is home to wading birds and helps absorb water during storms.
A café is included in the proposal.
The council has invited written submissions.
The town is called Kōwhai Bay.

7.Explain how the evidence you selected in Question 6 supports the point that the wetland should be protected.

8.Name one argument someone with a different view might make, then write a sentence that responds to it fairly.

Draft and review

Write for the council. Aim for a clear introduction, organised body paragraphs and a conclusion. Include a counterargument and use linking words to guide your reader.

9.Write a short argument essay answering: “Should the council approve the proposed marina at Kōwhai Bay?” State your position, support it with at least two reasons and relevant evidence, address a different viewpoint, and finish with a conclusion.

10.Write a conclusion that restates your position in fresh words, recalls your strongest reason and leaves the reader with a final thought.

11.Choose the sentence with the clearest formal wording for an argument essay.

The council should protect the wetland because it supports wildlife and reduces storm impacts.
The wetland is cool and stuff, so don’t wreck it.
I reckon the whole marina idea is just bad vibes.
Birds and storms and boats are all kind of things there.

12.Name two specific changes you would make to improve your essay before submitting it. Consider structure, evidence, explanation, word choice or punctuation.